Can Dogs Eat Asparagus? – Let’s Find Out!

7 min read

We all know that asparagus is a healthy veggie. In fact, many would even call this a super food as it contains a lot of goodies in it. But can dogs eat asparagus?

This is a common question among dog owners. Dogs can literally beg for anything and everything you eat. When your dog is asking for a piece of asparagus you are having, you might think what harm can a small portion do? But is asparagus safe for dogs?

We will answer that question and many others here so that next time when your dog begs for some asparagus, you will know exactly what to do.

Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?

The short answer to that questions is Yes.

Asparagus, in fact, is a superfood like we mentioned above and it brings a lot of good stuff to your dog’s plate.

But there is something you should be wary of before you give your dog some asparagus.

We will discuss that in detail below.

Is Asparagus Good for Dogs?

Absolutely.

Separate the asparagus fern from the plant (more on this below), and anything left of it is packed with vitamins and minerals.

The veggie comes with Vitamin K, Vitamin B2, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin C. You can also find some amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin B3, and Vitamin B6 as well.

These vitamins can help with the growth of your dog and also improve eye health, bone health, and even strengthen the teeth of your canine.

This carbohydrate can help with digestion and is known as a prebiotic. Inulin is present in all high-quality dog foods, but here you can have it in its most natural form.

Is Asparagus Bad for Dogs?

There are so many good things we can say about asparagus when it comes to feeding it to your dogs.

But there are some things you should note.

Not all parts of this superfood are right for your pup.

If you have asparagus plant in your home, then you might want to put up a small fence surrounding the asparagus plant. This is because the leaves of the plant are toxic to dogs.

Munching on those leaves can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. It may also lead to severe abdominal pain as well. So the fern or leaves of the asparagus plant is a big no.

If you buy asparagus from your local grocery, then you don’t have to worry about this as you would only be getting the stem of the plant.

One other thing to note is that the stem of the veggie is very tough.

If you are sure that your dog won’t swallow it, then you can probably use it as a chew toy. Yes, it is that tough.

If you feed your dog raw asparagus, then your dog might find it hard to chew it properly. As a result, your dog will swallow the pieces without chewing on them. This will lead to digestive issues as dog’s digestive system is not equipped for this.

A not so serious side effect

Asparagus can cause very smelly urine.

If your dog is not house trained, you better not give your dog asparagus.

If you do, then your house will have a heavy scent for the next few days to come. Your dog’s stool may also become green.

Though this is nothing serious, if this can cause you discomfort, then you should avoid feeding this to your dog.

How to Serve Asparagus to Dogs?

Like we mentioned above, the stem portion of this veggies is very tough.

So it is best if you can cook asparagus before you give it to your dog.

Cooking can be helpful in two ways.

One, it will be a lot easier for the dog to chew the cooked veggie.

Two, it will get digested easily even if the dog doesn’t chew as much as it should.

Cooking the asparagus will take some nutrients away from it.

If your dog is used to eating raw vegetables like celery, carrots, and broccoli, then you can give a small piece of asparagus to see if your dog can chew and swallow it properly.

If there is no problem there, you can continue giving asparagus in its raw form. Just be sure to check your dog’s poop to check everything is fine.

Can Puppies Eat Asparagus?

Like dogs, puppies also need a lot of proper nutrition in their food.

A difference here is that puppies’ digestive system works in a very different way than that of the dogs’.

Though asparagus can promote growth, there is not much fat and calories in it. These two are an essential part of a puppy’s diet.

Also, the asparagus stems are a serious choking hazard for puppies.

If you must, then you can cook a small portion of asparagus and feed it to your puppy.

But as we know, asparagus is not as beneficial to your puppies as they are to your dogs.

Do Dogs like Asparagus’s Taste?

It is hard to tell if your dog likes the taste of asparagus.

Dogs get very excited when they see you eat something. So it is pretty easy for them to jump and beg for whatever you are having.

You can give your dog a small bite-sized portion of asparagus. If your dog comes in craving for more, then you have your answer.

Just be sure to feed your dog in moderation.

Also, make sure your dog is house trained. Trust us when we say you don’t want to deal with the stinky urine later.

So, Can Dogs Eat Asparagus? – Our Take

Yes, your dog can have asparagus.

Don’t let your dog go near the leaves and you’ll be fine.

Make sure you cook the stem and make it into bite-sized portions.

If you are still not sure, then a call to your local vet can clear your doubts.

You can also mix cooked asparagus with broccoli, oranges, and other vegetables. Just be sure to keep it in moderation.